Business officer 1

Position Summary

This position serves within the SPAO Pre-Award Research and Support Office and provides professional research administration services to a portfolio of departments and investigators within the School of Medicine. The position manages and administers pre-award activities for sponsored research projects and applies knowledge of sponsor requirements, University policies, and federal regulations to support compliant proposal development and submission.

Responsibilities include proposal review, budget development, interpretation of sponsor guidelines, regulatory compliance monitoring, and advising faculty and staff on grant administration requirements. The position analyzes funding opportunities, identifies administrative and compliance issues, recommends appropriate solutions, and exercises independent judgment in managing assigned research administration activities. The position also supports post-award administration activities as needed by providing pre-award specific support, monitors grant-related requirements and deadlines, helps prepare financial and administrative analyses, and collaborates with University offices including OSR, SPA, HR, Finance, the Provost’s Office, and the Dean’s Office.

The role requires knowledge of sponsored research administration, sound decision-making skills, and the ability to independently manage multiple priorities while ensuring compliance with institutional and sponsor requirements.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, And Experience

• A demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, students, high-level officials and faculty;
• Operational knowledge and/or familiarity with scientific terminology;
• Excellent command of MS Office Suite;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, critical thinking and interpersonal skills;
• Considerable experience with office management and administrative practices, techniques and technology;
• Excellent judgment and decision-making ability;
• Proven ability to exercise discretion dealing with top-level, proprietary and confidential information.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, And Experience

• Experience with grants and contracts;
• Ability to prepare detailed financial reports and budgets in compliance with applicable University policies and procedures and/or sponsoring agencies;
• Extensive knowledge of university financial accounting, HR and administrative systems;
• Knowledge of NIH, NSF, DOD, and other awarding agency regulations and requirements, as well as RAMSeS, Connect Carolina, eRA Commons and other related systems;
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) certification preferred.